IPOH: All Tabika Perpaduan classes are currently full, with the 1,781 centres nationwide recording 33,000 registrations this year alone, says Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang.
The National Unity Minister said registration has been closed, except for special needs classes, where an additional 100 to 150 students were still being accepted.
He said the Tabika Perpaduan continues to play an important role in early childhood education in the country, despite having far fewer centres compared to kindergartens under government ministries, agencies and the private sector.
“Each year, we request an increase in the number of centres, but approval has not been granted.
“In comparison, the Education Ministry oversees more than 8,000 kindergartens, private kindergartens number over 10,000, Kemas has more than 10,000, while Perpaduan currently operates over 1,700 centres,”he told reporters after presenting allocations to 10 Kawasan Rukun Tetangga in Ipoh on Saturday (Jan 24).
Aaron said enrolment depends on space and facilities, with a maximum of 25 children per class, reflecting current trends in early childhood education registration.
When asked about the Prime Minister’s recent announcement on national education policy, Aaron said that eventually kindergartners may fall under the Education Ministry, including those managed by other agencies.
“This process may take two to three years, but it is necessary to standardise early childhood education nationwide.
“There are nearly 30,000 kindergartens in the country, including private, international, religious, Kemas, and Perpaduan
“Tabika Perpaduan is ready to comply with the policy when it is implemented.
“Any initiative introduced is meant to meet national needs and standardise education across the country. It is a good initiative, and we will support it,” he said.
During his speech earlier, Aaron said a total of RM600,000 has been allocated to benefit 120 Neighbourhood Watch Areas under the 2026 Madani’s Community Satellite Program.
He said the Madani Community Satellite Program was one of the initiatives under the Madani Rakyat Program (PMR).
“This year, the PMR programme will expand to 15 off-site locations, compared with 10 locations in 2025. “The expansion aims to broaden the programme’s reach and ensure its positive impact is felt more widely at the grassroots level,” he said.
He said 301 Neighbourhood Watch Areas have been developed into Progressive Neighbourhood Watch Areas, compared to 152 in 2024, through an allocation of RM16mil in 2025.
“This includes 529 economic products from Neighbourhood Watch Areas that have been successfully marketed, covering agricultural products, food, non-food items, tourism and handicrafts.
“For this year, the ministry will strive to double efforts in empowering Progressive Neighbourhood Watch Areas.
“The ministry will also examine new methods and approaches to secure funding through strategic partnerships with corporate companies and GLCs,” he added. – END
